Malaysian Polo Team optimistic for Asian-Australian-African Championship
Despite presence of some strong squads, the Malaysian polo team is quite optimistic to finish the Zone-D play-offs for the 2011 FIP Polo World Cup on a high note. The event is scheduled to be played from June 13 to 25, in Malaysia. The Zone-D playoffs are
also known as Asian-Australian-African Championship in which seven nations will face each other to decide the fate of the entry into the world championship.
Malaysia will face tough time in the play-offs, as some experienced teams including Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nigeria and South Africa are featuring in the tournament. The host side, which is eyeing at one of the top three positions, will
have to show brilliant performance against other talented teams. Top three positions of the tournament will get a direct ticket to the 2011 FIP World Cup that is due to held from October 11 to October 25, 2011 in San Luis, Argentina.
The Malaysian line-up is consisted of Huzaini Yunos, Muhammad Edham Shaharuddin, Shaik Reismann, Tengku Ahmad Shazril, Saladin Mazlan and Amran Selamat. The host team is featured with Australia in Zone A, Zone B include India and New Zealand. Nigeria, Pakistan
and South Africa are teams of the Zone C of the play-offs.
President of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA), HRH Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, while speaking to the media said that they had a very strong line-up. However, the other teams also have outstanding polo players.
The President further stated that want to win the title or finish among the top three teams that would help them to get a direct ticket to the 2011 FIP World Cup. As a home-team, they have a home-ground advantage.
It is vital to mention here that the RMPA President is taking special interest in the Asian-Australian-African Championship in order to create history for making their first ever debut in the World Cup Finals.
In his views, the national side has much improved their performance after the Terengganu Open Championship. The physiotherapist and trainer of the national team are also quite certain about the forth-coming event.
Commenting on the fitness of the players, the President is of the view that this sport is quite demanding and players will have to be fit for the hard fixtures. He reiterated that the Malaysian side will finish the event on a high note.
Tengku Abdullah expressed that it would be a great honour for them if they qualify for the World Championship. In his concluding remarks, he expressed hopes for the national team to finish the event among the three. In the friendly game, the host side will
face Nigeria on June 12, at the Royal Polo Club in Pekan.
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